Riot Games granted League of Legends European Championship (LEC) squad Fnatic an emergency roster addition for the start of its Worlds 2022 run, starting with the Play-in stage. Fnatic has drafted Portuguese support player Rúben “Rhuckz” Barbosa from its European Regional League (ERL) squad: Fnatic TQ lineup, according to Riot Games. This is following the update that Fnatic released on 23rd September where it stated that both its bot-laners had tested positive for COVID-19 and that their journey to Mexico would be delayed as a result.

On 26th September, League of Legends Esports (LoL Esports) released a competitive operations update about Fnatic. It said, “Riot Games has permitted FNATIC an emergency roster addition due to two players contracting COVID. The player Rhuckz, from Fnatic's ERL team "Fnatic TQ", has been added as a seventh player to the FNC roster.”

Fnatic provides more details

Earlier last week Fnatic shared the news that its bot-laners Elias "Upset" Lipp and Zdravets "Hylissang" Iliev Galabov tested positive for COVID-19 and stated that it would keep the community updated with developments.

Following Riot’s statement regarding the addition of Rhuckz, Fnatic wrote on Twitter, “#Worlds2022 UPDATE: @rhuckz has arrived safely in Mexico and will sub for Hylissang should he be unable to travel. We will provide more updates within the next 48 hours regarding Upset and Hylissang. Thank you for your support and well wishes for the players!”

Fans will be notified about who will participate at Play-ins for Fnatic as the attack-damage carry (ADC) and support we get closer to the event kick-off on 29th September. The team’s ADC substitute is Louis "BEAN" Schmitz and notably, the young player subbed in for Upset at Worlds 2021, after Fnatic announced that its starting ADC Upset would not be playing for the entire tournament since he had to head home to attend to an “urgent family matter.”

Meanwhile, Rhuckz stated that it was not the best situation to sub in for the team but that he would do whatever Fnatic needs and that’s why he’s there. He also wished Hylissang a fast recovery and added that it was his tournament to play and that he’s earned it.

Fnatic is scheduled to take on North America’s Evil Geniuses in its first match of the tournament on 29th September, followed by a match against Chief Esports. Stay updated with the tournament by heading on to  Worlds 2022 Play-in: Teams, Groups, Schedule & More.